Crystal River current. [volume] (Crystal, Colo.) 1886-18??, 1887-07-30

prlOO. maze his uemnltlOQ pOlltlCS.
i hate his very name-PiIkins-pah!''
Pilkins was lawyer. and once upon
. time had been rival of my own. He
was proud; he was poor; and, more
over, he was my sworn enemy. If l
could spoil his prospects of marriage
with the majors heiress. 1 determined
to do SO. Here was my revenge, and
revenge is sweet. That is, those who
is, and believe them. -. -
"Pillkins knows what 1 think of his
trying to marry my daughter. I've
told him. Not only have l told him in
plain words that he Is fortune hunter.
but enforced it by kicking him off
the front piazza no longer ago than
this morning." went on the major.
"And what did he say to thatP'
Say" roared Philpot, prancing an.
grily about the room. "Good Lord!
He just got up. bowed politely, lifted
his hat, il you'll believe me! the impu-
dent dogl and, says he, Since you adopt
heroic treatment, my deah maj or l feel
obliged to follow your example and
prosecute this courtship in heroic
mannah. I'll have your daughter,
Or I'll die trying to win her. Remem-
Der that. But he's mistaken; no Pill
kins will ever wed Philpot-perish
the thought. l overheard them plan
ing an elopement' and l intercepted a
note not two hours ago, in which he
gave her the details. and set the time,
even to the hour. 1t is to take place
tonight. We give a grand party, you
know, and she is to slip away after
supper. when the carriages are drawn
up IN line before tho pavement and the
guests are tuking their departure.
She is to put on a long dark wrap, and
carry tuberose ia her hand. by
which he is to recognize her. There is
to be a carriage handy. She is to enter
it, and the driver is to go to the-deyil
But, unknown to Mr.. Pillkins. Arabel-
las old dad is to put in his appearance,
and Arabella herself is to be yanked up
stairs and sent to to bed.
Z and what am Ito do?"
''You are to come to the ball as
guest. I will introduce you TO my
daughter, and you must shadow her
during the the whole evening. She
must not be allowed to evade us.
would 60 home now and lock her up
and have an end to it all but for
the party. 1t would never do for
her to lie absent when our guest
arrives. I've spent small for
tune on this party, and want it to be
a success, and am determined not to
give up tho entertainment, nor to allow
Pillkins to run away with Arabella,"
I'm be there early" said l. earger-
ly.
do. I'll give you hundred dollars
to help me outwit the rascally Pillkins.
He's entirely too smart in his own esti-
nation. And if he thinks he will ever
feather his nest'-Gguratively speak
ing, 1t 0ourse-with Arabella's $4,000 !,
why. then, he'll do it through old PHI
pots nistake--that's all.
''Yeu can depend upon me. aud l
never expect to earn II hundred
dollars more easily than will tonight,
my dear major. Let rue see: tube.
roses-dark wraps-waiting carriage at
give you my word Major Philpot, that
you may use my head for a football"
Good. I'll expect YOU early" and
with that he tore himself away.
Ihired an elaborate evening suit and
took my way to Philpot mansion. The
major lived in an elegant style In IL big
stone-house on Schuyler avenue. He had
given mo card. which 1 sent up by
servant. Instantly the major came in
to the study where the servant had con-
Quoted me to wait moment.
cad p says he. you look like
dandy"
Il am a dandy" says I. for tonight,
any way. How goes it ?"
Lovely. Arabella suspects nothing.
She is rather more affectionate than
common, but, in view of her intended
fight, perhaps not more so than is ma
tural."
A heavy velvet curtain that con-
cealed doorway trembled slightly
and caught my attention for Il moment.
What if somebody should overhear us
but no, that was impossible. l stepped
toward tie curtain, but at that moment
the beautiful Arabelia herself appeared
in the farther recess.
my daughter. this is Mr., Sidewin-
der, Of Columbus. Miss Phlipot, Mr..
Sidewinder," says the major, introdu-
cling us. 81
The major and I had agreed that
should be known that evening as Mr..
Sidewinder from Ohio-a particular
friend of his whom he had not met
within q long time. II.
As an old friend of her fathers I
hope Miss Philpot will preserve me
few of the dances on her tablet" said
/ to the young lady.
..As many as you like" she said af-
fably, and I marked as many as
dared. --Errl- eslz ....f-
She was called away just then by lot
of fresh arrivals but managed soon
to make my way through the crowd
into the ball room. / knew she would
not attempt to leave the house before
supper, SO there was nothing to worry
myself about. You know it is not often
that poor detective gets a chance to
mingle with the fashionable swells as
an equal, and I wanted to make the
best Of it. --.-..------.s
Whenever thought of Pillkins-and
1t was often enough to keep me in good
I, 1nJ, l. X